Divine Openings

 ~ Luke Reports 5 Christ-Related Openings ~

 

Opened Heart (to receive Christ)  ~  “And on the Sabbath day we [Paul, Silas, and Timothy) went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.  Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us.  She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God.  The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.  And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.’  So she persuaded us” (Acts 16:13-15).  

 

Opened Eyes (to see Christ)  ~  “Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.  Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight” (Luke 24:30-31).  

 

Opened Scriptures (to reveal Christ)  ~  The previous paragraph continues:  “Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.  Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.  And they said to one another, ‘Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?’” (Luke 24:30-32).  

 

Opened Understanding (to learn Christ)  ~  “Then He [Jesus Christ] said to them, ‘These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.’  And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures” (Luke 24:44-45).  

 

Opened Heavens (to see the victorious Christ)  ~  “When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.  But he [Stephen], being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, ‘Look!  I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’” (Acts 7:54-56).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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Contrast, 8

~ Contrast: Against Christ vs. For Christ ~

 

Series Comment ~ The Scripture contains many contrasts.  In this series we look briefly at some of them.  Just like in our “Binary” series many of these contrasts represent a choice of this or that.

 

Scripture 1 ~ “Now Saul [later named Paul] was consenting to his death.  At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.  And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.  As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison” (Acts 8:1-3).

 

Scripture 2 ~ “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.  Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:1-7).

 

Comment  ~  The total change in Saul into the Apostle Paul typifies the change of direction and lifestyle that is available through Jesus Christ. 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW 

 

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God Attribute, 49

~ Infinitude ~

 

This Series  ~  This series of posts looks at some of the many attributes of God.  Generally, we move in alphabetical order.

 

Introduction  ~  A number two yellow pencil has never created itself or evolved into a pencil!  “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).  The complexity and vastness of creation is all the proof anyone needs to believe in a Creator. 

 

Scripture  ~  “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man — and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

 

“Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.  Amen” (Romans 1:18-25).

 

Comment  ~  Common sense and logical thinking are missing from many in today’s “sophisticated world.”  What about you?  Where did your pencil come from?

 

Quote ~

“He is measureless.  Measurement is the way created things have of accounting for themselves. It describes limitations, imperfections, and cannot apply to God.” —A.W. Tozer

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Why Trust God? 38

 ~ God Is Our Cheer Leader ~

 

Introduction  ~  “Abundant Life Now” previously provided a list of Biblical of examples of fearing / reverencing God (217 posts).  In this current series we look at Biblical accounts that demonstrate that we can fully trust God.  Initially we posted seven general reasons for trusting God.  We are currently looking at passages from all 66 books of Scripture which demonstrate a reason for trusting our Creator. 

 

Scripture  ~  “Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites.  And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, ‘The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!’” (Judges 6:11-12).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Question – Jesus, 165

 ~ Regarding Who ~

 

Introduction  ~  This series is about questions involving Jesus.  Some were asked by individuals involved with Jesus Christ while He walked on earth.  Others are questions that Jesus Christ asked others.  We will look at questions on over 160 topics (some may split into two or more posts).  Even so, it is far from an exhaustive list. 

 

Scripture  ~  “After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.  Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches.  In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water.  For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. 

 

“Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years.  When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, ‘Do you want to be made well?’  

 

“The sick man answered Him, ‘Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.’  

 

“Jesus said to him, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk.’  And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.

 

“And that day was the Sabbath.  The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, ‘It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.’  

 

“He answered them, ‘He who made me well said to me, “Take up your bed and walk”.’  Then they asked him, "Who is the Man who said to you, 'Take up your bed and walk'?"

 

“But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place.  Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, ‘See, you have been made well.  Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.’   

 

“The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well” (John 5:1-15).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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The Total Story…

 ~ Four Cs Summarize It ~

 

CHRISTMAS  ~  Almost everyone knows “The Christmas Story” but not many fully understand “the rest of the story.”  It can be summarized with four C words.

 

He Created  ~  The historical account of creation. 

 

“We look at this Son [of God – Jesus Christ] and see the God who cannot be seen.  We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created.  For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels — everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him.  He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment.  And when it comes to the church, He organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body” (Colossians 1:15-18a msg).

 

He Came  ~  The historical account of the birth of Jesus Christ – the first Christmas.

 

“Watch for this — a virgin will get pregnant and bear a Son; they will name Him Emmanuel (Hebrew for “God is with us”).

 

“About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire.  This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria.  Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for.  So, Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census.  As a descendant of David, he had to go there.  He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.

 

“While they were there, the time came for her to give birth.  Mary gave birth to a Son, her firstborn.  She wrapped Him in a blanket and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel” (Matthew 1:23 & Luke 2:1-7 msg).

 

He Conquered  ~  The historical Cross of Calvary account.

 

“When they crucified Him, the Roman soldiers took His clothes and divided them up four ways, to each soldier a fourth.  But His robe was seamless, a single piece of weaving, so they said to each other, “Let's not tear it up.  Let’s throw dice to see who gets it.”  This confirmed the Scripture that said, “They divided up My clothes among them and threw dice for My coat.”  [Note that the soldiers validated the Scriptures!]

 

“While the soldiers were looking after themselves, Jesus’ mother, His aunt, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene stood at the foot of the Cross.  Jesus saw His mother and the disciple He loved standing near her.  He said to His mother, ‘Woman, here is your Son.’  Then to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’  From that moment the disciple accepted her as his own mother.

 

“Jesus, seeing that everything had been completed so that the Scripture record might also be complete, then said, ‘I’m thirsty.’

 

“A jug of sour wine was standing by.  Someone put a sponge soaked with the wine on a javelin and lifted it to His mouth.  After He took the wine, Jesus said, ‘It’s done…  complete.’  Bowing His head, He offered up His spirit” (John 19:23-30 msg). 

 

He’s Coming  ~  The most important promised conclusion to the end of human history. This is the critically important “rest of the story! – the climax of human life on earth as we know it.”

 

“Jesus said, ‘Don't let this throw you.  You trust God, don’t you?  Trust Me.  There is plenty of room for you in My Father’s home.  If that weren’t so, would I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you?  And if I’m on My way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live.’

 

“Jesus also said, ‘For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works’” (John 14:1-3 msg & Matthew 16:26-27 nkjv).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Adornment, 3

 ~ Clothing, 3 ~

 

Series Note ~ In this series we look at some of the Scriptures which mention human physical adornment—pretty much without comment.  These posts will include clothing, head (including hair and wigs), jewelry (including accessories), makeup (including tattoos), and perfume (including incense).  It is important to note that some of these passages are culturally related to a specific culture and time period. 

 

Two Principles ~ (1) Focus on the long-term: “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.  Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates” (Proverbs 31:30-31).

 

(2) Exercise modesty: “Women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works” (1 Timothy 2:9b-10).

 

Scripture For This Week ~ “But Gideon said to them, ‘I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you.’  Then Gideon said to them, ‘I would like to make a request of you, that each of you would give me the earrings from his plunder.’  For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.

 

So they answered, ‘We will gladly give them.’  And they spread out a garment, and each man threw into it the earrings from his plunder.  Now the weight of the gold earrings that he requested was one thousand seven hundred shekels of gold, besides the crescent ornaments, pendants, and purple robes which were on the kings of Midian, and besides the chains that were around their camels’ necks.  Then Gideon made it into an ephod and set it up in his city, Ophrah.  And all Israel played the harlot with it there.  It became a snare to Gideon and to his house” (Judges 8:23-27).

 

Two Keys ~ (1) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

 

(2) “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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3 Trees

 ~ God Knows Best! ~                

 

The source of the original version of this material is unknown—apparently written by that prolific author Anonymous. 

 

The Three Trees  ~  Once upon a mountain top, three tree saplings dreamed of what they wanted to be when they grew up.  The first little tree looked up at the stars and said: “I want to hold treasure.  I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones.  I’ll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!”  The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on its way to the ocean.  “I want to be traveling mighty waters and carrying powerful kings.  I’ll be the strongest ship in the world!”  The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town.  “I don’t want to leave the mountain top at all.  I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me, they’ll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God.  I will be the tallest tree in the world.”

 

Years passed.  The rains came, the sun shone, and over time the little trees grew tall and matured.  One day loggers arrived on the mountain.  They looked at the first tree and said, “This tree is beautiful.  It is perfect.”  So, the first tree was fallen and thought to himself, “now I shall be made into a beautiful chest, I shall hold wonderful treasure!”  Then the lumberjacks looked at the second tree and said, “This tree is strong.  It is perfect.”  And that tree was also harvested.  The second tree thought, “now I shall sail mighty waters!  I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings!”  The third tree felt his heart sink when the loggers looked at him.  He stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven—hoping they would leave him alone.  But the loggers never even looked up.  They were clearing the remaining trees for surplus utility wood.  And so, all three trees were taken. 

 

Later, the first tree rejoiced when he was brought to a carpenter’s shop.  But to his dismay he was fashioned into a feedbox for animals.  This once beautiful tree was not covered with gold, nor with treasure, but was filled with hay for hungry farm animals.  The second tree smiled when he was taken to a shipyard.  But to his disappointment rather than being made into a mighty sailing ship he was hammered and sawed into a simple fishing boat.  He was considered too small and weak to sail through the oceans.  The third tree was confused when he was cut into strong beams and left in a lumberyard for some random future use.  The once tall tree wondered, “What happened?  All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God.”  

 

Many, many days and nights passed.  The three trees nearly forgot their dreams.  But one night, bright starlight flooded the first tree as Mary placed her newborn baby in the feedbox.  “I wish I could make a cradle for him,” Joseph whispered.  The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as light from that bright star illuminated the manger.  Now, this first tree was holding the greatest treasure in the world—far beyond his little dreams!  (cf. Luke 2:1-20) 

 

On another occasion a tired itinerant preacher and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat.  The preacher fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake.  Soon a thundering and thrashing storm arose.  The wood from the second tree worried that he did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through this terrific storm.  The preacher woke, stood up, stretched out His hand, and said, “Peace, be still!”  The storm stopped immediately.  This second tree was not carrying an earthly king but the King of kings and Lord of lords!  (cf. Luke 4:35-41) 

 

One Friday morning, the wood from the third tree was startled when his beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile.  He flinched as He was carried through an angry jeering crowd.  He shuddered when soldiers nailed a Man’s hands to his.  He felt ugly and harsh and cruel.  But on Sunday morning, the earth trembled beneath and he knew that God’s love had changed everything.  From that time on, every time people thought of that tree, they would think of God.  His role in the plan of God was far beyond his meager thoughts, hopes, and dreams!  (cf. Matthew 27:45-54)

 

“We [Christians] know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).  “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21). 

 

The next time you feel down because you didn’t get what you want, sit tight and be joyful because God is thinking of something better to give you.  

 

Comment  ~  Trees have a prominent place in Scripture.  For example, the first Psalm, which is almost like a prolog for the Book of Psalms likens the Godly person to a tree.  The book “GOD’S CHILD: Like A Tree” has been called “the definitive work on Psalm One” by a well-known theologian.  (https://books2read.com/GodsChild) 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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